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Tigers sign two teenage Dominican shortstops

Tigers sign two teenage Dominican shortstops

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DETROIT -- The Tigers added two teenage Dominican shortstops to their prospect ranks as the international signing period opened Monday. Detroit has agreed to terms with Domingo Leyba and Willy Adames, pending verification of their identity and age.

Baseball America first reported the agreements Monday afternoon as the international signing period opened under new bonus restrictions similar to the First-Year Player Draft. The Tigers tend to wait until verification to officially announce agreements.

Neither 16-year-old ranked among the top prospects for the signing period, but they fit the Tigers' profile of trying to spread out their international budget across several signings rather than put it all on one player possibly panning out.

Leyba was on the Dominican team that won last summer's RBI World Series, along with top Giants international signing Gustavo Cabrera. According to Baseball America's Ben Badler, he's a slick-fielding shortstop with a quick release and good instincts. He's also a switch-hitter.